Free Shipping on Orders Over $150
Cooking & Baking
The Best Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe (Easy & Comforting)
Looking for the ultimate comfort food casserole that’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions like St. Patrick’s Day? This Classic Shepherd’s Pie recipe (also known as Cottage Pie when made with beef) is a traditional Irish-inspired dish made with savory ground meat, vegetables, and a rich gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Baked until golden and bubbly, this homemade Shepherd’s Pie is the perfect cozy meal your family will request again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic & Authentic – Inspired by the traditional Irish dish.
- Versatile – Use ground beef for convenience or lamb for authenticity.
- Family-Friendly – A crowd-pleasing comfort food everyone will love.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Assemble ahead of time and bake when ready.
Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
Guiseppe
6
20 minutes
50 minutes
400
Irish, British
Main Dish, Comfort Food, Casserole
This easy Shepherd’s Pie brings together seasoned ground beef (or lamb), tender vegetables, and a flavorful gravy, all layered beneath a topping of cheesy mashed potatoes. It’s warm, satisfying, and perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or holiday gatherings. Whether you make it with beef or lamb, this recipe delivers the rich, classic flavor of the traditional dish while staying simple enough for everyday cooking.
Ingredients
Meat Filling
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1 lb ground beef (or lamb)
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup frozen peas & carrots
- ½ cup frozen corn kernels
Potato Topping
- 1 ½ – 2 lb russet potatoes, peeled & cubed
- 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup half & half
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onions for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef or lamb. Stir in parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned (6–8 minutes).
- Add Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Cook 1 minute.
- Stir in flour and tomato paste until combined.
- Pour in beef broth, peas, carrots, and corn. Simmer 5 minutes until thickened.
- Boil potatoes until fork-tender (10–15 minutes).
- Drain and return to the pot. Let rest for 1 minute.
- Mash with butter, half & half, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until creamy.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the meat mixture evenly in a baking dish.
- Top with mashed potatoes, spreading evenly.
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
- Let cool 15 minutes before serving.